Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns: Defining the Voter's Choice

What percentage of party activists work within local political party organizations?

95 percent

Current election laws in the United States favor ______.

A two-party system

Today's political campaigns rely on which of the following to be successful?

Campaign strategists Pollsters Media producers

Although party organizations still manage many tasks related to elections, the lead role in elections now lies with the ______.

Candidate

Even if a third-party candidate fails to win an election, the candidate will sometimes accomplish which of the following?

Encourage one or both major parties to address issues introduced by the third party Draw attention to an issue previously ignored by the two major candidates

True or false: Local, state, and national party organizations are hierarchical in structure.

False

Which of the following are true about political contributions called hard money?

Hard money can be spent as the recipient chooses. Hard money is money political parties give to candidates. Hard money is money given directly to a candidate. Hard money is subject to legal limits.

What percentage of voters today cast a split ticket?

Less than 20 percent

The rise of candidate-centered campaigns has had which of the following positive effects?

Made it easier for political newcomers to win high office Encouraged national officeholders to respond to local issues

A ______ political system is made up of at least three political parties.

Multiparty

Which of the following states have closed/partially closed primaries?

Nevada North Carolina Florida

Which of the following accurately ranks the amount of media coverage of candidates from highest to lowest?

Presidential candidates, Senate candidates, House candidates

An election in which voters choose the party's nominees is called a ______ election.

Primary

The strongest reform party in U.S. history was the ______.

Progressive Party

Voting for a candidate's promises rather than his or her past actions is an example of what is called ______ voting.

Prospective

Many voters cast a ______, where they only vote for candidates of one party.

Straight ticket

In politics, what do linkage institutions do?

They connect citizens with government.

What has happened to the New England states since the 1980s?

They have shifted toward the Democrats.

Which of the following are true of grassroots parties?

They operate at the local level. The are open to all citizens.

How did many of the founders of the United States view political parties?

They viewed political parties with suspicion.

What is the purpose of a primary election (direct primary)?

To enable voters to select their respective party's candidates for a general election

How many major political parties are there in the United States today?

Two

State parties are involved with which of the following activities?

Voter registration Election of U.S. senators Election of governors

All party organizations have a responsibility to ______.

Build support among voters

True or false: Local party organizations are stronger today than they were in the days of the political machines.

False

Whereas Jefferson's party had operated largely at the leadership level, Jackson sought a(n):

Grassroots party

Political parties began to emerge in the United States ______.

In spite of many of the founding fathers' mistrust of them

Third parties formed to promote a stance on a particular issue are known as ______.

Single-issue parties

The in-party's chances of staying in power has historically depended primarily on ______.

The condition of the economy

Which of the following statements describe how U.S. campaigns are both party centered and candidate centered?

The same parties are represented nationwide. Candidates organize their own campaigns.

Primaries in which candidates of both parties are on the same ballot and the first and second finishers compete in the general election are called ______ primaries.

Top-two

Which group is the largest voting bloc in the Republican Party?

White evangelical Christians

Black Americans are an important part of the Democratic Party's coalition; nearly ______ percent of them regularly vote for Democrats.

90

State party organizations are usually small and are directed by ______.

A full-time chairperson

What three basic elements are usually involved in a party realignment?

An enduring change in the parties' policies and coalitions Unusually powerful and divisive issues A shift in voters' partisan support in elections

Which of the following statements about negative ads and negative campaigning are true?

Negative campaigning in presidential elections was used as long ago as when Thomas Jefferson ran for office. Abraham Lincoln was the target of insulting comments about his appearance during election campaigns.

Which of the following are functions of political consultants?

Producing promotional materials Advising on how to run a successful campaign Gathering voter opinions

The national, state, and local organizations of the Republican and Democratic parties are ______.

Relatively independent; that is, each level does not have much control over the others

Which of the following voting blocs migrated to the Republican Party during the 1980s and 1990s?

Southern whites

Which of the following statements is true regarding a single-member district electoral system?

The candidate with more votes than any opponent wins the election in the district.

Which of the following is true about candidate-centered campaigns?

They encourage national officeholders to be responsive to local interests.

What is another name for the plurality system?

Winner-take-all system

A permanent shift in party allegiances or electoral support is known as a party ______.

Realignment

Which of the following are distinct disadvantages of the rise of candidate-centered campaigns?

They provide opportunities for powerful interest groups to donate money to candidates. They make it easier for officeholders to deny responsibility for government actions.

Political scientist Darrell West uses the term air wars to describe ______.

Candidates' use of televised ads

Because of the increasing cost of political campaigns, Blank______.

Candidates must constantly work to raise funds

Which type of third party is organized around a framework concerning the nature and role of government in society?

Ideologically oriented parties

Which of the following are advantages in raising money for campaigns that incumbents often have over their challengers?

Lists of contributors to past campaigns Policy influence sought by donors